Selectmen fill in calendar with block dances, special town meeting

Selectmen approved the annual block dances, which will close Union Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, July 24 and 31, and Aug. 7, 14 and 21.

Selectmen also decided on the date for a special town meeting, opting for Sept. 15.

That date will be the week after the state primary, giving officials time to clear out voting booths before voters return to town hall to exercise their right to vote again.

The board chose to call the fall meeting following the annual meeting's results on the article to purchase new firefighter communications equipment.

Although the article failed to pass by the needed two-thirds majority, it was mistakenly called as passing. A week later, at the town election, voters approved the funding through a debt exclusion. Selectmen opted to bypass a procedure in which supporters could have collected signatures to call a special meeting. With the meeting called, other issues could also be brought up if the town has other business to conduct.

Selectmen also discussed the dates of the annual town meeting and election, and asked the town administrator and town clerk to look at options. The discussion focused on moving the dates, currently the first two weeks in June, earlier in the year, perhaps moving them back a couple weeks. Most surrounding towns hold their town meeting and election the first two weeks of May.

Clinton, several years ago, set its meeting and election for June.

Selectman James LeBlanc said one issue was whether final budget numbers from the state would be available.

Selectmen Chairman Dave Sargent said it had been hot at the June meeting and election and he had heard many complaints.

Members agreed keeping the election after town meeting was prudent, but wanted to explore earlier meetings.

May rather than April would be better, Town Administrator Michael Ward said.

The board also voted to contribute $1,000 from its civic fund toward the Clinton Fire Union fireworks display, set for July 12.

In other business

•The board met with Mary Zoll, of Regonini-Zoll Memorials, to discuss the Veterans Memorial at town hall and the board members' concerns about the delays in getting plaques reinstalled. Only the killed in action plaques were in place before Memorial Day, despite the year-long timeframe for work to be completed. Zoll said the remainder of the work, including added names, should be completed by the end of September.

•Selectmen approved a DPW purchase of a new bulldozer for operations at the landfill, where soil is being brought in to cover the old landfill site, generating revenue for the town.

•The board approved a name change on the Class 2 used cars sales license for Main Street Motors at 1015 Main St. to Clinton Motor Cars LLC.